Dear Ones,
I was saddened to learn of the verdict today in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the young man who traveled to Kenosha, WI last year and fatally shot two people, seriously injuring a third. The incident brought to the surface many of the issues that our country wrestles with - and all-too-often attempts to ignore - around racial justice, white vigilantism, and gun violence. Rittenhouse came to Kenosha, heavily armed, as part of a mob of white men to stop the protests for racial justice and took two lives. Under the auspices of protecting property, he came prepared to commit violent acts and did just that. As the prosecutor stated, there is a difference in defending yourself from violence perpetrated against you, and you creating the situation in order for you to do it - or more specifically, “You lose the right to self-defense when you’re the one who brought the gun, when you are the one creating the danger, when you’re the one provoking other people.” As the verdict came in today, it has been widely observed that we have two legal systems in this country - one for white men, and one for everyone else. Many have suggested that if Rittenhouse had been Black, the verdict would have been drastically different. I would go further - when you watch the videos of that night, I would say if Rittenhouse had been Black, he most likely would not have come out of that night alive. A young white man brazenly carrying an automatic weapon through city streets was virtually ignored by law enforcement. Had it been a Black man, I do believe the result would be drastically different. In these same days we are witnessing the trial of the ambush of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, in Brunswick, Georgia. And even with all the accused admitting that Arbery was unarmed and ultimately not threatening them, and all evidence pointing to Arbery trying to flee the scene unarmed, this case hangs in this unjust balance as well. In both cases, we see self-appointed vigilante’s taking justice into their own hands. And folks, if it can happen to these folks, it can just as easily happen to any of us. But, the point is, mostly, it doesn’t. Especially if we are white, if we are privileged, if we have enough money to defend ourselves. We simply must do better, and we must be better. This comes only one day after a judge in New York “prayed” about the sentencing of a young white man who had pleaded guilty to charges rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment and only gave the man probation because he said that prison time "wasn’t appropriate" (https://lawandcrime.com/crime/judge-prayed-about-it-and-decided-that-prison-time-for-admitted-rapist-of-teen-girls-isnt-appropriate/). We know that incarceration rates for Black Americans is five times the rate of white Americans, and for Latin Americans it is 1.3 times higher (https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/color-of-justice-racial-and-ethnic-disparity-in-state-prisons/). According to the ACLU, women who kill their abusers will spend an average of 15 years in prison, while men who kill their spouses spend two to six years in prison (https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/in-the-news/women-serve-longer-prison-sentences-after-killing-abusers). Men from Indigenous communities are four times more likely to be incarcerated than white men, while Indigenous women are six time more likely (https://www.jailedformelanin.org/native-commuities). Justice is supposed to be blind, but time and time again, our justice system has been proven to favor white men. It is severely out of balance. I pray for all involved in this case, including Kyle Rittenhouse. I pray for all the victims of gun violence. I pray for our country and for our justice system. There is so much that needs to change. Let’s engage and act so that we may see a more just system going forward. To get involved in making our criminal justice system equitable, you can see what steps The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations recommends here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ogr/get-involved-with-criminal-justice-reform/ Blessings, +Greg
12 Comments
Karen Jensed
11/19/2021 08:37:45 pm
Thank you for this very thoughtful and meaningful piece.
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jane wolfe
11/19/2021 08:38:47 pm
For me, one of the dangers these days is that those we appoint/vote in/etc to uphold justice aren't blind as justice should be, they are wide awake, eyes open and deliberately corrupt. This kind of lying corrodes governance faster than global warming corrodes the air, land and sea. We want chaos? well then, stick with the lying. We want order, respect, trust, faith and well being, repent, straighten up, drop the "innocence" mask and share life, suffering, joy, peace and hope with all of us.
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Nicole Leprohn
11/19/2021 09:51:21 pm
Thank you, bishop rickel. Too often the church - including the episcopal church- takes a middle ground, a "blind" approach. Justice is not blind unfortunately. She looks at the color of skin and decides.
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Nancy Boutwell
11/19/2021 10:37:54 pm
Thank you, Bishop Greg. Well stated. May God Forgive us.
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Ms Susan Lane
11/19/2021 10:42:03 pm
I am very disturbed at this response to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. It's obvious to me that you, Bishop Rickel, did not hear the true facts of the case as presented by the defense. Shame on you!
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Janet Hallauer
11/20/2021 11:46:30 am
Thank you. We need that.
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thank you for your courage to speak out...\
11/20/2021 08:03:46 pm
thank you for your courage to Speak Out and Inward.
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grethe barber
11/20/2021 08:05:49 pm
Thank you for your honesty
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grethe barber
11/20/2021 08:07:32 pm
I agree, disturbing trial results...
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Austin
11/21/2021 11:26:02 am
You're honestly stupid🤣😂
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Ricky
11/21/2021 12:27:55 pm
I am saddened by this response from a leader. I will not be shamed for the color of my skin. I will not apologize for my thoughts on the second amendment. I also question your taking the place of our creator and claiming to know someone’s intentions. You state these lies as facts, though you seem to be in the dark.
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11/21/2021 05:14:09 pm
We know who shot first. It is on the videos. We also know Rittenhouse wasn't protecting an auto dealership when he shot first.
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AuthorThe Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel is the VIII Bishop of Olympia, the Episcopal Church in Western Washington State. He has been the bishop here since September, 2007. Archives
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